Using unused holes on bottom of tank.

[jacobB89]

So I removed my two tower overflows from the 180 gallon tank and rather then just plugging the holes with glass or bulkhead we got an idea. Has any one used these as return lines come in to the tank nothing crazy just a small loc line to create flow at the bottom. (Be running bare bottom so no worries about sand storm. And yes I would run a check valve.

 

 

Or is it just easier to plug then and drill 2 holes up top for returns?

 

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[Happyfeet]

I'm sure someone has and I'm sure their power went out and it drained their tank.

 

That would be my only concern.

[jacobB89]

I'm sure someone has and I'm sure their power went out and it drained their tank.

 

That would be my only concern.

That's where check valve would come in play.

 

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[epleeds]

That's where check valve would come in play.

 

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not sure i would risk 180 gallons to one check valve. 

[jacobB89]

not sure i would risk 180 gallons to one check valve.

Well played sir very good point lol.

 

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[dante411x]

You could put multiple check valves in series on each line.. Still risky though.

 

 

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[YHSublime]

Check valves are not 100% reliable. Period. Happyfeet and Epleeds are both correct. I would plug them and move on, jmo.

[bqq100]

What about adding another pump and using it as a sort of a closed loop setup to add bottom flow?  Leakage of plumping or pump would still be a serious issue though.

[Pacific East Aquaculture]

Just to add some perspective on the check valves.. We have a Zero Edge display tank set up at our shop.  The return comes up through the bottom of the tank and uses a check valve. Our experience is about 50-50, even with fresh just-replaced plumbing.  Sometimes when the power goes out it seals properly.  Sometimes we clean up a puddle.  We have check valves on our big grow-out systems as well and it is the same.  Over time they've deteriorated to the point that they really don't seal at all anymore.

[Der ABT]

closed loop or plug it ....

[jason the filter freak]

Closed loop

[DCReefer1964]

Closed LOOP !!!!!! In regards to check valves, dont buy cheap straight check vales use Y check and clean them regularlly . Most Reefers set it and forget it.

[jacobB89]

Closed LOOP !!!!!! In regards to check valves, dont buy cheap straight check vales use Y check and clean them regularlly . Most Reefers set it and forget it.

Never though about a closed loop.for all that posted that hmm small closed loop could be a possibility nothing crazy. As for check valves that's the ones I would use are the Y one.

 

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[PK3]

Like most everyone has said in this thread, I would ditch the check valves altogether. A closed loop is a great idea that would provide additional flow and so that the holes don't go without use.

[rioreef]

Just curious, but if the outlet is at the bottom would the volume of water above it (180 gal) create a lot of pressure and cause pump issues, unless you had a powerful high head pump?  Even on a closed loop.

Edited March 12, 2014 by rioreef

[Origami]

Just curious, but if the outlet is at the bottom would the volume of water above it (180 gal) create a lot of pressure and cause pump issues, unless you had a powerful high head pump?  Even on a closed loop.

No. Actually it will have just about the same pressure on it as it would have if the pump had to pump up and over the lip of the tank. The PSI is not set by the volume of water over the pump, but by the height of the water column above the pump. That's how the little Dutch boy was able to plug up the leaking dike with his finger.   In the case of a closed loop, the pump will see very little head pressure actually.

 

However, if there's a hole in the bottom of the tank, it does present a drainage risk that needs to be considered. In most installations, a check valve mitigates against the risk of a a minor- to moderate water-on-the-floor event which leaves water in the tank and the livestock alive. With a hole in the bottom of the tank, you're relying on the integrity of that check valve to prevent what could be a massive flooding event and a total loss of livestock from an emptied tank. This doesn't apply in the closed loop as long as the plumbing holds up.

[Der ABT]

my 156 had 4 holes from the old overflows i plugged them up cause i didnt feel like plumbing up a closed loop system.

 

however i made it so that if i choose to go to a closed loop the threaded bulkheads can just be unplugged and plumbed up without the need to drain the tank. aka plug is on the inside (and i put caps on the outside for sanity/double safety sake)

 

one day i may go closed loop but im fine with powerheads personally.

[s2nhle]

my 156 had 4 holes from the old overflows i plugged them up cause i didnt feel like plumbing up a closed loop system.

 

however i made it so that if i choose to go to a closed loop the threaded bulkheads can just be unplugged and plumbed up without the need to drain the tank. aka plug is on the inside (and i put caps on the outside for sanity/double safety sake)

 

one day i may go closed loop but im fine with powerheads personally.

+1 cap it off.

[jacobB89]

I'll look into loop but either way I'll do bulkheads so I can change if wanted.

 

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[zygote2k]

not sure i would risk 180 gallons to one check valve. 

you could just run 3 together then- sorta like bart simpson stacking megaphones together to create a sonic boom.

[zygote2k]

Check valves are not 100% reliable. Period. Happyfeet and Epleeds are both correct. I would plug them and move on, jmo.

nothing is reliable, including the bulkhead that you just installed. Buy a good check valve and service it regularly and it'll last 10 years without failure.

[YHSublime]

nothing is reliable, including the bulkhead that you just installed. Buy a good check valve and service it regularly and it'll last 10 years without failure.

 

Touche, Rob, Touche.